Mly old laptop (Gateway running XP) kept shutting itself down periodically so I replaced it with an HP running Vista. I wanted to transfer all my files but now the old laptop shuts downs within a few seconds of loading Windows. Can I transfer files using a USB cable if the old laptop won't turn on? How else can I get my files out of the dead laptop? Thanks--

It can be done only if you use a power adapter to connect the old harddrive to.

Another way is to purchase an external harddrive enclosure for 20 dollars or so and install the old harddrive to it. Connect it up and transfer the data files (no programs or applications can be transferred. Once done then format the old drive and you have yourself an external storage.

edit....make sure the enclosure supports the connection of your harddrive as there is IEDE and SATA connections for the harddrives.

Thanks--this sounds a bit beyond my technological capability at this point, but I will contact a more savvy relative to see if she can do this for me.